Dispensing container for filling grease guns and the like



Dec. 23, 1941. E. P. SUNDHOLM 2,266,827

DISPENSING CONTAINER FOR FILLING GREASE GUNS AND THE LIKE I OriginalFiled Oct. 21, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Dec. 23, 1941. E, P 'UNDHQLM 2,266,827

DISPENSING CONTAINER FOR FILLING GREASE GUNS AND THE LIKE Original Filed001;. 21, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

.E'cZwn Ps'wumozm PatentedDec. 23, 1941 UNITEIS STATES PATENT "OFFICEaze'sszz msrmvsmc oon'raman non FILLING amass cons AND 'rnr; 1.11m

Edwin P. Snndholm, Albert City, Iowa Original application October 21,1938, Serial No.

Divided and this application February 17, 1940, Serial No. 319,386

. 9 Claims.

an original vendable-package unit for more or less viscous fluids suchas the various grades for the ultimate distribution and dispensing-oigreases or other viscous fluids, without the necessity of ladling out orotherwise first removing the grease from the vendable dispensing-comtainer by extraneous means; the tubular 'reservoir or so-called barrelof the conventionalgrease-gun or like applicator or ultimate dispenserbeing used directly for withdrawing the rease or other viscous-fluidcontent of the dispensing-container of the present invention pref- Ierably by means of suction created within such conventional barrel,which suction servesto eflect or to stimulate or accentuatehzhe flow ofthe viscous-fluid content of the dispensing-container of the presentinvention.

One of the difllculties long experienced in filling grease-guns withgrease from original containers, such as drums or buckets, is that thelid of such grease-drum or grease-bucket must first be removed in orderto gain access to the grease,

and the'lid is frequently not replaced on the drum or bucket and oftencannot be replaced so as to exclude dirt, because in-prying the lid offthe drum the rim of the lid is often ed and distorted. Thesegrease-drums or grease buckets are used in garages, farms and placeswhere all kinds of foreign matter, such as leaves, dirt, grit and dirtywater frequently get into the drum or bucket and on top of the grease.One

customary way of fllling grease-guns has beento ladle or scoop out thegrease with a paddle of wood or the like and then ladle it into thegreasegun barrel .with a similar manual operation; while anothercustomary way of filling grease- 811118 has been to submerge the end ofthe cylindrical grease-reservoir or so-called barrel of the grease-guninto the drum or bucket of grease and then to pull the rod or handle ofthe grease- 2 (01. 22147.5) The present invention relates to agun-filling dispensing-container which may also be used asgunfollower-piston back so as to suck the grease intothe grease-gun barrelas, for instance, the barrels of the grease-guns of Patents ,Nos.

1,377,023; 2,024,097; 2,124,077; 1,587,597; 1,692, 5 423; 1,696,606;1,619,126; 1,894,274; 1,926,398 and 1,981,495. This type of operationmay have the dual eflject of carrying dirt into the grease-drum orgrease-bucket and also of getting the greasegun reservoir or barrel"smeared with grease on the outside.

- One of the objects of the present invention is to eliminate the abovenoted objections by providing an original vendable grease-dispensingcontainer on which the lid may be left substantially intact,

without ever disturbing the same, so that no foreign matter can get intothe grease and so that only fresh and clean grease can be furnished tothe grease-gun; and so that the grease-gun itseli may not become fouledor rendered inoperative by dirty and grit-contaminated grease.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a grease or fluiddispensing container which may be used as the original container orpackage in which the grease or the like is shipped and sold, and whichmay also serve as an intermediate container into which the grease or thelike is placed from the original package, and which container (of mypresent invention) is so arranged that the grease or the like may becovered at all times so as to keep it clean, and

that it may be withdrawn from time totime in [relatively smallerquantities directly into the l reservoir portion or barrel of theconventional grease-gun or the like without the necessity of separatelyhandling the grease or other fluid.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a dispensingcontainer of the character stated, having a high useful or efiectivefluidbearing capacity in proportion to its size, and

40 from which substantially all the fluid-contents thereof may becompletely removed without substantial waste.

A further object of the present inventionis to provide a dispensingcontainer of the character stated having novel venting means in its lidportion for admitting solely air into the container as the fluidcontents thereof are depleted, said venting means being so constructedand are j ranged that rain water, dirt and the like will not passtheret-hrough into the container.

' A further object of the present invention is to provide dispensingcontainers of the aforesaid character adapted to be securely stacked invertical rows, and without denting or injuring any of their componentportions.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a dispensingcontainer of the character stated having a new and improvedfollower-plate therein, said plate being-releasably secured by novelmeans to the lid of said container during transportation and storage,and being adapted, when released, to rest on the top surface of thefluid in said container and to. ride downwardly therewith through thebody of said container as the fluid contents are withdrawn.

capacity a diameter of ten inches and a height Other objects will appearmore fully from the following detailed description, accompanyingdrawings and appended claims.

' The present invention contemplates certain novel features and detailsof constructionand arrangement of parts affording the foregoing andother advantages, said features and details and arrangements beingillustratively set forth hereinafter. 1

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in theaccompanying drawings forms thereof which are at present preferred,since the same have been found in practice to give satisfactory andreliable results, although it is to be understood that the variousinstrumentalities of'which the invention consists can be variouslyarranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to theprecise arrangement and organization of the instrumentalities as hereinshown and described.

Referring to the drawings in which like referaaeaear h barrel by asuitable piston-rod or pull rod or chain as to suck said gun barrel fullof grease.

The fluid-dispensing container of the present invention includes agenerally cylindrical body 5 of suitable diameter and height toprovide'th'e desired volumetric capacity, and a bottom 6 having anopening I preferably centrally thereof. For instance, for an effectivetwenty-five pound of twelve inches is suitable, and so on.

The entire container may be formed of sheet metal, preferably suitablesheet-steel similar to that used for steel drums, and of a suitablegauge according to the size of the container. The thickne'sses shown inthe drawings are exag'gertecl for purposes of more ready illustration.Other thin form-retaining sheet materials may be used.

The bottom 6 is preferably formed with a flange 8 of suitable depth toclear the lateral conduit 9 and gun receiving socket l8 which will bedescribed more fully hereinafter, thus forming a downwardly cuppedmember or inverted cupshaped member. The flange 8 of the invertedcup-like bottom is of an external diameter such as to telescope into thelower end of the cylindrical body 5 and is preferably drawn from thesame sheet of metal asthat of which the bottom 6 is formed, as forinstance, by being drawn in .a die on a suitable press, or by any othersuitable drawing or forming operation. The flange 8 may then be turnedand folded and crimped or double-seamed along with the lower peripheralFigure 4 represents another modified form of grease-dispensing deviceembodying the present invention, including an outwardly flared upperzone on the cylindrical body of the grease-dispensing container andshowing a modified form of follower plate.

Figure 5 represents a top plan view of a follower plate of a modifiedform f construction.

Figure 6 represents a side elevational view of the same.

Figure 7 represents a top plan view of a follower plate of still anothermodified form ofconstruction. A

Figure 8 represents a 'side velevational view of l the same. Thefluid-dispensing container of the present invention is suitable for usein filling the small portable type grease-guns exemplified in United,

States Patents Nos. 1,377,023; 2,024,097; 2,124,077; 1,587,597;1,692,423; 1,696,606; 1,619,126; 1,894,-

- 274; 1,926,398 and 1,981,495, in whlchthe generally cylindricalfluid-reservoir br so-called bar rel has within it a follower-piston andin which said cylindrical fluid-reservoir or barrel may be refilled fromtime to. time by unscrewing or otherwise detaching from-it the pumpportion of the grease-gun (which is sometimes referred to as the heador'high-pressure head of the grease-gun) and then submerging the thusopened end or free end of the barrel of the "grease-gun into a supply ofgrease and then manually withdrawing the follower-piston in said gunedge of the cylindrical body 5, to form a crimped and interlappingbead-like seam or doubleseam II with the lower peripheral edge of thecylindrical body 5, which seam thus unites the" flange 8-with thecorresponding lower portion of the cylindrical body 5, and which, at thesame time, secures the bottom 8 permanently in place in fluid-sealedrelation to the body 5. The bottom 6 may also be held in place-,in araised position by other means, as for instance, by welding it in placeto the side-wall of the body 5 or by forming an outwardly pressed slightannular or peripheral groove in the body 5 at a suitable height abovethe lower extremity thereof into which the outer' marginal portion ofthe bottom 8 may extend, to be held in place thereby. Likewise, thebottom 6 may have but'a short downwardly extending flange which may bespotwelded to the side of the body 5.

The generally upright body 5 need not necessarily be cylindrical inshape or circular in horizontal cross-section, but may'also be polygonalin horizontal cross-section, although the generally i cylindrical formis preferable.

The portion of the body 5 which is below the bottom 6 need not becontinuous in its circumference, but may be cut out in parts to form adiscontinuous lower extremity. Thus, for instance, three, four or moreportions of the body 5 may be left projecting below the bottom 8 for thepurpose of spacing the bottom 6 at a suitable distance above the lower,extremity of the body. 1

The transverse conduit 9 may be formed by welding,spot-welding orotherwise securing itto the under-surface of the bottom 6, incommunication with the opening Ttherein, so as to form a continuous butenclosed passageway communieating with the interior of the containerthrough the opening 1 and extending to the flange 8 of the bottom.Openings I 2 and I3 may be extended through the flange 8 and through thecylindrical body 5 of the container in registration or general alignmentwith the cross-section of the conduit .9, so as to form a passageway incontinuation thereof. To the outside surface of the cylindrical body 5of the container, the gun-receiving socket I is secured also having asimigenerally cylindrical flange it which is adapted telescopically toreceive (-either internally or externally) the suctional end of asuction-filling barrel of an ultimate fluid-dispenser, and may beinternally screw-threaded as indicated at I6, to receive the externallyscrew-threaded ends ll of the cylindrical reservoirs or barrels I8 ofconventional grease-guns or the like, or may be externally threaded ormay be provided with bayonet catch.

Within the cylindrical body of the dispensingcontainer of the presentinvention, a. freely float ing piston-like follower plate I9 is providedin operative relation to the interior diameter of said cylindrical body5. The follower may be provided with an upturned flange 2d of suitableaxial depth to afford some (more or less) guidance to the follower l9 soas to tend to prevent angularity or cocking.

By making the upturned flange 20 comparatively slight, or by fitting thefollower IS in the cylindrical body 5 with a substantial clearance, orby both, the free-floating follower-plate l9 can be given full freedomfor tilting or cocking. By so arranging thefollowerplate in relation tothe cylindrical body or reservoir 5, as to permit free cocking ortilting, the follower-plate may tilt to a suitable extent as it restsand floats on top of the body of grease, so that if the container orreservoirwall 5 should become dented in shipping or handling, or instorage or in actual use, any slight dent will not jam thefollower-plate and will not prevent the follower-plate from travelingdown to the bottom of the container. Thus, when onepart of the peripheryof the follower-plate is obstructed or engaged by an inward dent in thereservoir wall, the part of the follower-plate which is' so engaged isheld in place temporarily by the dent in the wall, while thediametrically opposite part of the plate follows down with the greasebody; which grease body thereby temporarily acquires a slanting uppersurface. This tilting of the follower-plate, and the correspondinginclination-of the upper surface of the grease continuesas the body ofgrease is gradually exhausted or withdrawn, until the minor axis, of

lower out of the container if it is desired to reilll the containerafter it hasbeen completely exhausted. A lid 22 either fitting looselyover, or more or less 'frictionally telescoped into the top or over thetop of the body 5 is also preferably provided for generally excludingdirt and water from with- I in the container. The lid 22 may also becrimped or otherwise affixed to the upper end of the cylin- -drical body5. The lid 22 is preferably provided with-a screw-threaded vent holeinto which a screw 24 may be threaded. The lid 22-may also be providedwith a central raised portion 23 which is pressed out of the sheet-metalof the lid and in which the vent hole is placed for receiving the screw24. By'removing or partly raising the screw 24, a vent is provided atthe top through which air may enter at the top of the container asgrease is withdrawn" from the bottom of the container, so as always tomaintain normal atmospheric pressure within the container. The upperperiphery of the body 5 may also be suitably beaded or flared asindicated at 25, thereby to reinforce or stiffen the upper periphery ofthe container.,

By raising the central portion of the lid 23, any

rain or water which may tend to collect on the top of the lid 22 isdiverted from the vent opening in the top of the container so as to beexcluded from the interior of the container.

If desired, the transverse bottom conduit may be formed by pressing asuitable channel-shaped depression out of the bottom 8 of the device,but integrally therewith, and then superimposing a flat plate over saiddepression and spot-welding, fusing, soldering or otherwise securing itto the bottom 6 along the marginal zone around the depression, as forexample in the manner shown in Figures 4, 5, 'I and 8 of parentapplication Serial No. 236,281. r

the (then elliptical) verticalprojection of the thus inclinedfollower-plate becomes less than the horizontal diametral distanceacross the con- Radial reinforcing ribs 2| may be pressed intothefollower [9 so as to stiffen the follower plate IS. The ribs 2| arepreferably decreased in height from the center towards the peripheryv asindicated in Figure 1. Three, four or more such radial ribs-may beprovided; four being indicated in the drawing of Figure 1. Any suitable(conventional) handle may also be provid;

The transverse cross-sectional or effective area of the conduit 9 issubstantially less than the cross-sectional area of the gunreceivingportions of the socket Ill and is preferably of a relatively shallowcross-sectional contour. The reduced cross-sectional area and the lengthof the conduit t, aiiord suitable resistance to the flow of fluid, so asto prevent freeflow, or to slow down or retard the flow of grease orother fluid when the barrel i8 is removed from the gun-receiving socketIt. This resistance to flow will either eliminate all free flow or willminimize it to such an extent as to permit the leisurely in- =sertion ofa closure plug into the gun-receiving socket it after the gun barrel Ithas been removed, without any undue drippage or loss ofgrease. Thus, byreducing the cross-sectional area of the conduit 8 substantially belowthe cross-sectional area of the gun-receiving portion of the socket, andindeed substantially below one-half of the cross-sectional area ofthesocket, resistance is. interposed to the free flow of the normallyviscous grease. This reduction in cross-sectional area may then furtherbe aug-. mentedand accentuated by'the length of the,

conduit. By also making the passageways or conduits 9 generally flat orof generally noncircular cross-section, and preferably asymmetric withrespect to the gun-receiving socket, as indicated in Figure 3, thesurface friction exerted upon the grease in the passageway! is furtherincreased above that afforded by a passageway ofcircularcross-sectionalarea because the surface presented to the grease (per unit of length edon the follower It for readily raising the fol- I traversed by a givenvolume of grease) is thereby increased above that presented by apassageway of circular cross-section.

By the foregoing means, resisting the free flow of grease, some of thetypes and kinds of greases generally and widely used can be effectivelycontrolled in the manner hereinabove indicated, under normal climaticconditions, without resorting to more positive shut-off means as, for.

example, those illustrated and described in Figures 8, 9 and 10 ofparent applicationSerial No.

The socket l may either be of cast metal or it may .be pressedsheet-metal, formed by customary and suitable stamping or die-formingoperations. Any of the sockets in may be turned upwardly at any suitableangle so that the cylindrical grease reservoir or barrel l8 of theconventional grease-gun may be applied thereto more conveniently by theoperator, particularly in the case where the dispensing device of thepresent invention may be of a large size which would normally stand onthe floor, although this upturned socket may also be used on smallerdevices embodying the present invention.

In Figure 4, a modified form of construction is shown wherein a smalltop portion of the cylindrical body is flared outwardly slightly as at48, in the form of a truncated cone, but preferably only at a veryslight angle as generally indicated. a

The follower plate I9 may be secured to the lid 22 by means of the screw24 in the manner 4 indicated in Figure 4. Thus, in this phase of thepresent invention, the raised portion 23 of the lid 22 may be offset inrespect to the center of the lid. The follower l9 may be provided with asimilar raised portion 49 either centrally, or offset as in Figure 4;which may be provided with a screw-threaded opening into which the endof the screw 24 may be threaded for holding the follower tightly againstthe lid 22 while in transit or storage. may be frictionally pressed intothe raised portion 49 of the follower piston I9, so as to close thespace and to prevent venting through the screw-threaded opening thereinand so as also to produce a generally continuous flat bottom for thefollower piston i9.

By the means hereinabove last described and shown in the accompanyingdrawing hereinabove referred. to, the follower plate I9 may be heldtightly against the friction top or lid 22, during shipment or storageof the can or drum of V grease, so that if the drumis laid on its sideor turned upside down, the grease will not get behind the follower-plateor piston 19. When it is desired to use the drum of grease, it is merelynecessary to set up the drum of grease in vertical position with its topup, as in Figure 4-, and to unscrew the screw 24, so as to drop thefollower piston or plate l9 .onto the top surface 5| of the grease. Thecontaineris not filled entirely with -grease but an empty space is leftat the top from comes vented through the opening through whizh the screw24 passes. (that is, just as soon 24 and then repeatedly applying thesuctional reservoir portion or barrel of the grease-gun or the like tothe socket [0 thereof.

By reason of the outward flaring at 48, the grease-dispensing device ofthis embodiment of the present invention may also be stacked in verticalgroups, that is, one on top of the other, because the bottom of one willfit into the top of the one beneath it. By reason of the fact that theraised portion 23 is offset from the center, it will not interfere withthe 'downwardly extending conduit 9 at the bottom of the drum above it.

I may also provide a bushing as, for example, that shown in Figure 4,for adapting a socket ID of one predetermined size, to anyone of avariety of different sizes of grease-gun barrels or the like.

In Figures 5 and 6, a modified form of follower piston construction isshown, wherein the up turned flange portion 52, which corresponds to theflange 20 hereinabove described, is notched sheet metal, th portions 52will be slightly resil- A small flanged disc ient in a radial direction.

In Figures 7 and 8, a modified form of construction is shown in whichstill thinner leafspring portions 54 are either spot-welded or rivetedto the disc I9 for the same purpose. By spacing the members 54 more orless closely and uniformly around the circumference, and making them outof sufliciently thin spring metal, in relation to the comparativelythicker metal of the disc IS, a contact may be maintained with thecylindrical side wall 5 of the grease drum even though the grease drummay occasionally be slightly dented and at the same time the grease iswiped down the sides of the grease drum as the follower plate passesdown as the rease is emptied.

The forms of construction last above described also help to prevent thefollower plate or piston from sinking down into the grease when standingidly, as the portions 52 and 58 will contact the edge of the cylindricalcontainer 5 and will tend to prevent the grease from working up aroundthe edges.

The modified form of construction shown in Figures 5 to 8 inclusive,while especially useful in the device shown in Figures 1 and 4, may alsobe incorporated in follower plates or follower pistons of the type shownin United States Patents Nos. 1,981,495 and 2,083,590.

By reason of its relatively loose fit or by reason of the resiliency ofthe members 52 and 54, and by reason of the relatively small axialdimension of the flanges 20, 52 or 54 thereof, the follower plate orpiston l9 may pass any slight dents in the side-wall 5 of thegrease-dispensing device by tilting or angling until it has passed thedent. Thus, as the side-walls of drums of grease are sometimes slightlydented during shipping or while being handled in storage or while i nuse, such indentations tend to interfere with the passage of thefollower piston or plate [9. This in- 9,266,827 terferelice is avoided(within limitsof denting) by the aforesaid tilting of 'the plate l9.

By reason of the attachment or securement of the socket I!) to the outersurface or wall of the sheet-metal body 5, as, for instance, by spotwelding thereto, a firm support is given to the gun-receiving socket onthe outside of the containerbody and extending outwardly from the sidewall thereof, without any obstruction on the inside of the containertending to interfere with the full travel of the follower plate 18 tothe bottom 6. Thus, the follower plate l9 may pass downwardly below thelevel of the uppermost point of the socket without being interfered bysuch socket or by its supporting means.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it istherefore desired that the present embodiments be considered in allrespects -as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had tothe append-- neath said lid initially held against the inner side ofsaid lid by fastening means capable of being detached from without theapparatus.

2. Dispensing apparatus comprising a container having a top and havingan outlet passageway near the bottom thereof, a socket operatively'connected with said outlet passageway, a slidable follower in saidcontainer, an elevated vent projection on the top of said container anda fasrelatively thin sheet-material and having an upturned marginalportion adapted for direct contact with the side wall of the dispensingcontainer, and means for holding said follower plate adjacent the top ofsaid container while the container is in storage or in transit prior touse including an upwardly-projecting portion on the upper side of saidfollower plate having a hole extending therethrough, said hole beingadapted screw-threadedly to receive a screw-member carried by the top ofsaid container, said follower plate being generally continuous in thezone underlying said upwardly-projecting portion whereby saidscrew-member may be withdrawn from said hole to-release said followerplate without leaving said hole exposed to the fluid contents of saidcontainer.

'6. In dispensing containers having a generally upright body ofgenerally uniform inside diameter throughout the major portion of itsextent and having its upper portion flared outwardly tening elementextending through said elevated vent projection and detachably connectedto said follower for holding the latter adjacent to and generallyparallel with said top while, the container is in storage or transitprior to use.

3. A dispensing apparatus comprising a generally upright body ofgenerally uniform horizontal cross-section throughout the major portionof its extent, a bottom associated with the lower end portion of saidbody, a lid associated with the upper end of said body, a generallyimperforate follower beneath said lid bearing an upwardly-extendingportion extending through the main plane of said lid, and screw-meansoperable from without the apparatus operatively engaged with saidupwardly-extending portion and releasably securing said follower to saidlid.

4. A dispensing apparatus comprising a container having a top and havingan outlet passageway near the bottom thereof, a socket operativelyconnected with said outlet passageway, a slidable follower in saidcontainer, an elevated projection on the top of said container bearing.a circular'follower inside-said containerv having upturned marginalguide means projecting beyond the diameter. of the. rest of saidfollower and adapted for direct contact with the inner wall of saidbody, and releasable means initially holding said follower within thezone. of the outwardly flared portion of said body, said marginal guidemeans serving to center the follower within the body portionof uniforminside diameter when said follower is permitted to descend;

7. A dispensing apparatus comprising a generally upright body having anoutwardly flared upper portion, a cover over said flared upper por-ltion, and a follower adapted to slide axially through said body, saidfollower being initially disposed within the zone of the outwardlyflared portion of said body and held against the underside of said lidby means releasable from without. 1

a. A fluid-dispensing device suitable for filling grease-guns and thelike and suitable for use as an original, vendable, merchandizingpackage a vent opening, an upwardly-extending portion I associated withsaid follower extending upwardly into-the space inside said elevatedprojection, and fastening means extending through said vent opening anddetachably connected to said upwardly-extending portion for holding saidfollowor against movement inside the container while the latter isinstorage or in transit prior to use.

5. A follower plate for fluid-dispensing con- 15 unit for containingmore or less viscous greases and like fluids in transit and storage andfor thereafter dispensing the same, including a generally upright bodywhose transverse dimension is substantially greater than one-half thebody height, formed of relatively thin sheet-metal and having arelatively thin sheet-metal top and bottom portions, respectively,associated with the upper and lower end portions of said body, thebottom portion being permanently crimped to the body, a generallyimperforate loose-fitting follower immediately beneath said top portion,formed of relatively thin sheet material and bearing anupwardly-extending portion extending towards the adjacent top portion,said upwardlyextending portion bearing a screw-threaded hole, a. screwextending downwardlythrough said top portion in registration with theaforesaid screw threaded hole, said screw being releasably engaged withsaid screw-threaded hole thereby releasably securing said followeragainst the movement inside said body, a gun-receiving socket carried bysaid body in communication with the interior thereof ;-said followerbeing adapted to -.be released by said screw on to the top of the bodyof more or less viscous fluid in'said device when the device is to beused and said follower being adapted 'to be moved downwardly on top ofthe body of fluid solely by the lowering of the level of the fluid asthe same is withdrawn through said gun-receiving socket.

tainers comprising a circular disc formed from 9. A fluid-dispensingdevice suitable for filling grease-guns and the like and suitable foruse as an original, vendable, merchandizing package unit for containingmore or less viscous greases and like fluids in transit and storage andfor thereafter dispensing the same, including a gen erally upright thinsheet-metal body having a generally flat, thin sheet-metal top and agen-.

erally thin sheet-metal bottom, a. gun-receiving socket connected withsaid body and communicating with its interior, an axial protuberance ofrelatively limited area pressed out of said sheet-metal top, a ventopening in said top within said axial protuberance, a relatively thinloosefitting follower plate within said body and hav- 15 ing aprojection thereon having a screw-threaded hole therein, a screwextending through said vent opening in said top and threadedly engagingin said screw-threaded hole to hold the follower to said top while thedevice is in transit and in

